Unmei Force Shattered Heroes: Faded Divinity
Chapter 1: Beware the Hydra!
Kaguya continued her trek through the Netherworld area, managing to find a Mandrake, which she persuaded into joining their band, as well as finding more Miman along the way, as she took a quick trip to a nearby leyline fount to acquire some rewards from Gustave for bringing back some of his lost minions, and selling the relics at hand for a hefty sum of Macca, due to Gustave's hoarding nature.
As soon as they left the leyline fount, they were surprised by a demon that both Omoikane and Kaguya were quite recently familiar with.
"Kaguya, it seems that that tengu from earlier has been looking for us." Omoikane told Kaguya, as the tengu was waving her arms about with a smile on her face.
"So I see. Figured she would come looking for us." Kaguya answered back.
"Heeey! Long time no see, huh?" The tengu remarked, before she then floated forward in front of the two. "I've found some stuff to thank you for earlier, and because I thought about what you said about taking me. See, if I can help you find stuff, you gotta take me with you!"
"Told you that you would come with me," Kaguya smirked in a smug tone. "By the way, why the sudden change of heart?"
"Well, y'see, there's this certain demon I'm looking for. They're kinda my other half… yeah, my soulmate! Totally!" The tengu answered back. "Pretty exciting stuff, right!? Only thing is there's, like, a million demons getting in my way basically every second, like before! So, please! You just gotta let me tag along!"
"That's alright." Kaguya answered back.
"Are you sure about that?" Omoikane asked back. "She could be deceiving you for her own agenda."
"Oh please, if she can do good for me, then that's good enough. And besides, I have faith that she's not going to be a thankless addition to our team." Kaguya responded back. "But just so you know, tengu, If you backstab me, you'll regret it in your drastically short life. So you do good by me, and I'll make sure that you'll never have any more demons to worry about. Deal?"
"Deal! Thanks!" The tengu exclaimed. "And since you're heading for Tokyo Tower, do you know about the monster that hangs out there, though? Everyone calls him the demon of the tower. Sooo… I'm gonna come help and make sure he doesn't wipe the floor with you! I'm Amanozako. Here's hoping we can help each other out."
'Welcome to my team, Amanozako." Kaguya stated, shaking the bird demon's hand as a gesture of agreement.
The team then traveled through the landscape, dealing with more hostile demons along the way, and helping her own team become stronger through the experience of battle, and constantly find new types of items to help rejuvenate herself and her team in various ways, as well as aiding them in combat through stored spells in stones.
Eventually, they reached a small cave, where they found that there was an entire following of demons that were worshiping a figure in front of them, a blue-skinned goddess with a floating white sash, a transparent white dress, and braided blue hair, with a pair of light blue eyes. Kaguya decided to listen to the gathering of demons, as they spoke one after another.
"Lady Apsaras! We are weak and powerless. Please, lend us your guidance!"
"Ahh, Lady Apsaras! Free me from my hunger!"
"Please, Lady Apsaras! Show us the light! Show us the way!"
"Ahh, Lady Apsaras! You are our goddess eternal…"
"Lady Apsaras! Use me however you see fit!"
Kaguya listened closely to the statements, before she was approached by a bipedal black cat that was dressed like a musketeer in red, with a cross-sword in one paw, much like the folktale Puss-In-Boots.
"This is the final haven for the weak and downtrodden demons with nowhere else to go." The cat told Kaguya. "That look in your eyes tells me you are strong. I'm afraid this is no place for you."
"I'm not here to cause trouble. I just wanted to see what's-" Kaguya tried to explain.
"Wait a moment, will you? A problem has just arisen, and I could use the help of a capable demon." Apsaras remarked.
"Haha! There you have it. You are permitted to speak with Lady Apsaras." The cat answered back, as he returned to the crowd of worshippers.
Kaguya then noticed that there was a Preta among the crowd, as she approached them.
"Say, did you come from a band of your kin, who tasked you with finding food for them?" Kaguya asked the demon.
"Huh? The others are waiting for me…? Oh yeah, them. They're after food, right? Then, take this to 'em." The Preta stated, before handing Kaguya a sizable portion of dango sticks, and a bottle of fresh sake. "I've found my own path, alright? Leave me be. Aahhh… my Apsaras."
"Well, that's one problem solved… now to see what the water goddess wants with me." Kaguya stated, before she walked up to Apsaras. "Tell me, what do you wish to ask of me?"
"Before I tell you what I request, you must understand that I created this following as a haven for demons who lack the means to survive on their own. This is a world where demons roam free… However, the truth is that there are many weaker demons who are greatly oppressed by those stronger than them." Apsaras explained. "I believe that these demons deserve the right to live as much as any other. And it is for that reason that I've come to this land, to offer the minimum knowledge and means for them to survive. Yes, by knowing your own weakness, you can very well learn to make better choices in life. Becoming stronger is one solution, yes, but if that path is too difficult, then seeking protection from another is perfectly fine as well. My circle of gods are prepared to offer their protection, for others to depend upon. That is how gods bring salvation, after all."
"That's noble of you." Kaguya nodded in agreement. "And how does this relate to your request?"
"Despite my intentions, however. I have been met with an interloper who strongly disapproves of my methods. She is a demon named Leanan Sidhe." Apsaras answered back. "She deceives those weaker than her by giving them the impression they have what it takes to achieve their dreams. Not only that, but she only supports a select few of her own choosing. Normally, I would not find harm in this, but it would appear that she sees them as little more than a source of nourishment, both talented and untalented. I say if you support the dreams of another, then raise that individual to be capable. Don't simply offer empty words of encouragement. If something isn't done about Leanan Sidhe, more and more demons will lose confidence in themselves as they inevitably realize their own inabilities and fade away like a dying star."
"So you wish for me to end her?" Kaguya asked back. "That's a bit… extreme, considering that she's not exactly being directly harmful."
"Please, you must understand. Her treachery will poison the minds of those across this entire land." Apsaras said with a gentler tone. "If there must be payment for your deed, then I shall join you myself, with every last ounce of my strength."
"...I'll consider it. If there are any less extreme solutions to this… then I'll have to use them. But I'll try and keep Leanan Sidhe out of sight and out of mind of most demons here." Kaguya stated.
"Although I am not fully satisfied with that answer… it is suitable enough. She lies in Shiba Park. I leave the rest to you." Apsaras answered back with a grateful tone.
Kaguya then left Apsaras's cove, as Omoikane decided to question Kaguya on the matter.
"Are you sure that her words can be trusted?" Omoikane answered back. "There are instances where one has held a messiah's image for dark intentions."
"Maybe, but I doubt that she's that malicious. But I'm not fully on board with her solution." Kaguya answered back. 'Something tells me that there's more to this story than at first glance. Let's just fulfill Preta's request."
Kaguya then used the nearby leyline fount to teleport right by the Pretas' cave, as the leader perked up, sniffing the air.
"Heey, I smell somethin' good!" The leader remarked. "Oh man! It's food! Gimme, gimme, gimme!"
"Take it, you starved bastards!" Kaguya remarked, as she tossed the heap of dango sticks into the air, as well as the bottle of sake.
The nearby Pretas then rushed over to the airborne food, as they wolfed it down, clashing against each other to get the most food, before it was all gone, as the Preta stopped.
"Huh? It's all gone." One of the Pretas remarked.
"I can't last off just this! More! Give me more!" The Preta leader demanded to Kaguya.
"That's it. Your boys managed to find this much." Kaguya answered back.
"Well, if that's the case, then I suppose that we'll just have to take what you have then!" The Preta leader answered back, before pouncing towards Kaguya.
Kaguya merely rolled her eyes, before they engaged in a very short fight in Kaguya's favor, as her team easily creamed the small band of Pretas with all of their newfound power.
"Alright, you promised me that you would give me something after all of this. By all rights, I should just wipe you all out." Kaguya stated, before pointing her naginata at the leader Preta. "So give it."
"Argh… we're sorry. Here, that's what we wanted to give you." The Preta leader answered back, before handing Kaguya a paper talisman with runes on it.
"Pleasure doing business." Kaguya answered back. "Now, instead of being ungrateful, next time someone does what your boys can't, be thankful you got something to keep you from fading out."
The Pretas groaned as a collective, as Kaguya left the area, examining the talisman.
"You must be wondering what that is." Omoikane stated. "That is a Tailsman. It possess the power to unlock certain Magatsuhi-wielding powers within races of demons, With my knowledge on the topic, this is the Haunt Tailsman, which give the demons of the Race a special ability that consumes the gathered Magatsuhi."
"Hm, maybe that'll have some use someday." Kaguya stated.
Kaguya then decided to take the whole trek through the land, right to where she found Apsara's cave, finding a paper-like demon called a Kodama along the way, and recruiting one of them into her group.
As they were about to explore a new region of the area, the group encountered a massive golem-like creature of rock towering above them, as it was wandering aimlessly, although it was emanating enough power to cause most of the nearby demons to panic and break into a sweat, as even Kaguya felt chills down her spines.
"That rock-like demon… He looks familiar." Omoikane pondered, before he then remembered something. "I do not have a clear memory yet, but I believe that he is one of the survivors of the battle between God and the demons. Weaker than he was back then… but he is so powerful that he would destroy you and your demons in a single fell swoop."
"Yikes… Well, I'm not touching that rocky bastard with a ten-meter pole then." Kaguya remarked, as she walked around the giant demon's path, quickly to avoid its attention, before she then leapt onto a set of buildings, where she found some sort of cat demon dressed in samurai armor, with a war-fan in one paw.
"You there!" The cat demon called out to Kaguya. "If you aren't in a hurry, might I ask a favor of you?"
"Go on…" Kaguya stated, walking over.
"My name is Neko Shogun." The cat demon introduced itself. "I am trying to put together a reward for my retainers, you see. I would like to give them Life Stones, but I've come up short. On the off chance you're carrying any of them, do you think you could spare some for me? 5 will suffice."
"Sure, take it." Kaguya stated, before depositing the pink gemstones into the demon's hands. "I don't have much use, since Pixie here does most of the healing in the group, and she's been doing good work for me."
"Excellent! No doubt my retainers will be most pleased! The reward I'll give you will undoubtedly prove useful on your journey." Neko Shogun answered back, before giving Kaguya another Tailsman. "May fortune favor you in your travels. "
Kaguya nodded, before she then decided to recruit a few demons nearby, getting a Preta, much to Pixie's disdain, and a Cait Sith, the same cat demon that she met in Apsara's cove, before heading to the leyline fount, deciding that it was time that she used one of the few means that could ensure that she would be able to face what was ahead.
She entered the leyline fount, reappearing in Sophia's realm, as the humanoid assistant turned to her.
"Sophia, is there any chance that demon fusion could be performed by your hands?" Kaguya asked back.
"You know of such things?" Sophia asked back, as Kaguya nodded back. "I see, then I need not explain what you must do. While your power is strong enough to be able to call upon most demons… know that there is a price for invoking such power so quickly."
Sophia then summoned a orb of liquid before Kaguya, as she pressed her hands onto it, as it revealed every demon that she had in her own possession. Whenever Kaguya dragged the images of the demons on the liquid orb, and drew a pair of them close to each other, they would fade in to reveal a new demon, as she was given the knowledge of what the new demon could potentially have.
After going through several combinations, she finally managed to make her decision, as she dragged the images of Kodama and Preta together, as they formed a human-like demon with long flowing green hair, scales on her nude body, and a long fishtail.
"This is my choice." Kaguya told Sophia, as the image shined on the orb, before Sophia nodded back, before she then opened her eyes, lifting her arms up, before she then sunk right into the ground, as if it swallowed her, while the ground below began to grow.
The ground then began to rumble, as a large statue of Sophia began to rise up, right to waist level, before it then stopped. Kaguya then saw various lights began to shine in front of the statue, as Kaguya stepped right into the light, as a series of revolving panels began to rise, segmented as if they were keyboards.
"Hey, Sophia… how do I do this?" Kaguya remarked, as if expecting a response.
"Close your eyes, and let the power flow through you. It shall guide your hands to play the sonata of fusion." Sophia's voice rang from the realm itself, as if she was one with it momentarily.
Kaguya went silent for a moment, before she then did as she was told. As she closed her eyes, she felt something guide her hands, as her fingers pressed upon the keys of the revolving panels, as a chord rang through the realm, as both Kodama and Preta were summoned before her in the realm.
With another press of the keys, the two demons were turned into ink-like spheres of essence, with murky coloring.
Kaguya then began to play a rapid tune, her fingers gliding through the keys, as the two spheres of essence began to merge into a larger one, which then began to glow brightly. In sync with Kaguya's fingers finishing the sonata with a final chord, the sphere of essence exploded into a blast of blue lightning, as the panels faded away, and the statue of Sophia retreated back into the ground.
Kaguya then opened her eyes, as she was eye to eye with the newly fused demon, who was perched on a rock, most likely her own means of transport, with flaming skulls surrounding her, as her green eyes regarded Kaguya with a melancholy that pierced her heart.
"I am Femme Mermaid. It is nice to meet you." The demon introduced herself with a faint smile.
"I hold the same to you." Kaguya nodded, before Mermaid disappeared. "...So she went to the Netherworld to wait for me. I guess one fusion is enough for now. She's pretty powerful as she is right now."
Kaguya then left Sophia's realm, returning back to the Netherworld, as Mermaid was right there waiting for her, with the rest of the unfused demons.
"Hey, I don't seem to recognise this one…" Pixie remarked, pointing at Mermaid. "Did you get here from the leyline fount by some means?"
"More or less." Kaguya answered back. "Don't worry, I'll find a way to make you a bit stronger eventually."
As Kaguya began to explore the landscape, as Amanozako proved to be a great help to the team, as she managed to find various items along the trip, which helped the group greatly, as Kaguya gave the tengu praise whenever she found them, and even more when she found Mitama, demonic creatures that were like crystalline wisps of emotion, which gave the group a great amount of rewards when they destroyed them.
"Grimoires, huh…" Kaguya remarked, collecting several magical books from a defeated Mitama.
"These possess the powers to increase the strength of your demons on use." Omoikane explained. "It is a kind of item that is considered well-sought by demons."
"Well, I'll make some good use out of it." Kaguya stated, as she pocketed the Grimoires.
As they continued on, the group were suddenly surprised by a deep rumbling in the distance, as they became alert as a result.
"Kaguya, it's still far off… But that presence seems to be a powerful demon." Omoikane stated.
"Uh oh! You hear that? The demon of the tower sounds like he's on a rampage!" Amanozako exclaimed. "He's suuuper scary! He's got, like, a gajillion heads, and he'll gobble up pretty much any demon that gets too close! That's why none of the other demons ever go near the tower! I've heard rumors that he even breathes fire and spits poison and stuff!"
"Hm…" Kaguya hummed, as she factored in the features that Amanozako conveyed to her, which allowed her to get a grasp of who exactly the 'demon of the tower' was. "I think that I have a good idea what demon we're facing, but I can't be too sure unless I face it directly."
"Normally, I would recommend that you strengthen your demons…" Omoikane stated, before glancing at the demons following Kaguya. "But I suppose that you are well aware of the fact. Regardless, expect the worst if you do eventually face the demon of the tower."
"Noted." Kaguya responded back.
The group then continued through the area, before they reached the foot of a river, where they found a Mermaid that was in the riverstream, as she was fairly down-hearted.
"Mistress… if I may make a selfish request…" Kaguya's Mermaid stated, noticing her kin's distress.
"There's no need to ask. I'm already on to see what's wrong." Kaguya stated, before she then walked over to greet the wandering Mermaid. "Hello there, what ails you?"
"Who… who are you?" Mermaid asked, before seeing her kin in Kaguya's company. "...Oh, it seems that you are a friend, to have one of my brethren among you. Thank goodness."
"Sister, what concerns you?" Kaguya's Mermaid asked back.
"Up this hill, is a pool where we dwell." The wandering Mermaid stated. "But one day, my friends began acting, well… strange. It was like they'd fallen under some terrible curse… Before I even realized what was happening, they all started attacking me. It's a miracle I'm even alive."
"Oh no…" Kaguya's Mermaid remarked with horror, with hands to her mouth.
"Please, I beg you… if you are a friend of us Mermaids… Please save my friends." The Mermaid pleaded to Kaguya. "I know that it must seem strange for me to ask this out of nowhere, but somehow… I felt things would work out if I turned to you."
"It will be done." Kaguya stated.
"Thank you! Follow this river upstream into the mountains, and you'll find the pool we call home. Be careful though, you'll have to go through dangerous demon territory to get there." The Mermaid stated, before she then produced an Essence Sphere. "I want you to have this. I hope you find it useful. Be careful out there, okay?"
"I'm grateful for your kindness." Kaguya stated, as she received the Essence gently. "Don't worry, we'll get to the bottom of this."
Kaguya then left the area, as she began to explore more of the area, finding more Glory along the way, in the form of white floating fruits, and crushing several Abscesses along the way, and along the way, they managed to reach the former Shiba Park, where they found Leanan Sidhe, who was a floating woman clad in a black dress, with long flowing blonde hair, a black hairband, and a pair of steel weaving threads in her hands, and beside her was a tall humanoid demon dressed with a black blacksmith smock, green rippling skin, bronze boots and a bronze mask that covered his entire head, save for his left green eye.
Kaguya then approached the pair of demons, as Leanan Sidhe noticed her quickly.
"Well, now, you're certainly the capable sort, aren't you? I can tell." Leanan Sidhe stated. "I am Leanan Sidhe and I grant power to those with gifted minds… What better way to make their dreams come true, wouldn't you say?"
"I suppose that it is beneficial." Kaguya nodded.
"I believe that we all carry some measure of talent within." Leanan Sidhe stated. "But, not everyone is aware of their potential, however. That's why I find the talent that best suits the individual. If they desire it, I can magnify the potential a hundredfold… However, it doesn't come free, as the cost is paid with their life force, you see. For instance, the Ippon-Datara here traded his lifespan and received the talent of a legendary craftsman."
"DAAMN RIGHT, I DID! Better than having no talent at all and scraping by!" The Ippon-Datara exclaimed with passion in its voice. "I'll bust out my talent anyway I can! EEHEEE!"
"Unfortunately, a rather inelegant demon has been making others give up their dreams, snuffing out their budding potential." Leanan Sidhe frowned. "Have you ever come across a demon named Apsaras?"
"Yeah, she doesn't like you very much either." Kaguya answered back.
"Then you have seen it. She persuades weaker demons to settle for a life that matches their situation, claims she's giving them just enough to get by. But all she's really doing is using them as a means to forge her own circle of gods…" Leanan Sidhe stated, before her grip around her needles grew in response. 'She doesn't care about uniqueness or individuality at all! Not one bit! Everyone has their own talents, their own strengths, and weaknesses, do they not? Don't you think it's terrible that she fails to see that? In light of all this, I'd like to ask something of you. Would you put a stop to Apsaras's plan?"
Kaguya pondered for a while, before she then gave her answer.
"I'll have to consider." Kaguya answered back. "You raise a good point about what Apsaras is doing wrong. But I don't think that she's truly as malicious as you think. Driving her away could render the demons underneath her without a pillar of support."
"...I see." Leanan Sidhe answered back with an even tone. "Then whatever your choice… I hope that it will be the right one. Apsaras cannot be allowed to continue swaying demons with her own wiles."
Kaguya then left Leanan Sidhe, as she then decided to deliberate regarding the situation with Omoikane.
"We've heard both sides of the story, right?" Kaguya told Omoikane. "Leanan Sidhe gives power to those who have hidden talent, and awakens it for the price of some lifeforce. Apsaras gives a haven for those who are weak and without power. Don't you think that both causes are beneficial in a way?"
"Indeed, but you have heard their cases against each other, and they're just as valid." Omoikane stated. "Leanan Sidhe would disregard those who do not have the potential to face what lies ahead, and Apsaras would unwittingly let those who have that potential become complacent and forget about it. One way or another, one of them must go, even if it is a hard choice."
"But what if we don't make that choice? You heard them, they're convinced that the other side is evil, when they're both working for the benefit of demons." Kaguya argued back. "Wouldn't it be better if we could convince both sides that they serve their own purposes? Leanan Sidhe would give demons a chance to become their ideal self, and Apsaras would be able to give demons who seek comfort and unity a haven. There is no need for conflict between them."
"That is unlikely." Omoikane stated. "You would have to convince both leaders at the same time for such a method to succeed."
"And I got a way… but I just need time to formulate the steps for it." Kaguya stated. "...Let's leave this issue alone for the moment.
The group then decided to gain power, as Kaguya managed to recruit a Azumi, a fish-like demon, as she also decided to make use of Sophia's realm to help her merge Onmoraki and Kodama into an Angel, which then allowed Kaguya to strengthen Pixie, by 'evolving' her into High Pixie, which gave her not much of a difference, her hair turning into a spiky blue, along with her eyes, as well as her upper clothing turning into purple, with a gray armor-plating around it. Kaguya also took the chance to learn a few more skills from the various Essence she collected, from the demons she allied with, and the demons that she defeated.
"Hey, I like this new look!" High Pixie remarked, as she checked herself out. "Not only that, but I feel plenty stronger than before!"
"Glad you feel that way. I'm prepared to face this demon of the tower. No more waiting, let's get your memories back, Omoikane." Kaguya stated.
"Wait, what about me?" Amanozako exclaimed.
"You should stay back. This fight is ours to handle." Kaguya stated, before looking towards her group of demons. "Mermaid, Azumi, High Pixie, with me."
"Alright, let's do this!" High Pixie exclaimed.
"I am prepared." Mermaid answered back with a gentle nod of her head.
"If it is your wish, then I shall come forth." Azumi answered back with a gruff voice.
The group then arrived before the foot of the Tokyo Tower, before Omoikane then began to feel a splitting headache, before clutching his head in pain, growling audibly.
"Omoikane…!?" Kaguya exclaimed, rushing over to him. "Hey, you okay!?"
Omoikane did not respond, before he lurched back and let out a voiceless scream, before the entire realm began to shift before them, as it revealed Omoikane's memory, as the pain stopped, while Omoikane looked up to see the great battle above them.
Various forms of angels were formed in a formation right in front of the Tokyo Tower, like an organized army, while the demons hovering around the tower were a disorganized mess, the scene a perfect representation of the battle between Law and Chaos.
"This is…" Kaguya stated.
"...My memory of the great battle." Omoikane answered back.
"Heed my words, brethren! As decreed by the seraphim, I, Abdiel hereby take command of Bethel's holy army!" The leader of the army declared, a human-like angel clad in golden armor that exposed some of her dark tan skin, with a angled collar, and a pair of white angelic wings with black tips, green eyes, and short slicked-back white hair, wielding a golden rapier with a glowing cross-guard. She then held her rapier in front of her upright, like a knight, as the angel army did the same. "Our foes are the demons of chaos, who swore allegiance to that contemptible snake!"
Abdiel then raised her rapier into the air. "Yet fear not, we are blessed with the divine protection of God himself!" She shouted. "Warriors from far and wide, hear me now, strike them down in the name of order! The unholy will find their deliverance by our blades!"
The angels cried as one, before the entire Netherworld began to shake, catching the attention of Abdiel, Omoikane, and Kaguya, as cracks began to appear in the sky, which spread further, before creating a dark void in the sky above.
"That… That's…" One of the angels stuttered, before Lucifer descended himself, a green-skinned demon, naked in all but a white ribbon carved with black letters that wrapped around the length of his body, with six devil wings, red eyes that pierced the soul of those who looked into them, and a pair of curved horns.
"The God you cravenly revere is dead." Lucifier boomed. "Slain by my own hand, that humanity might finally live unbound from their chains."
"Vile serpent… your lies mean nothing!" Abdiel retorted
"I speak only the truth. I have ascended the Pillar Empyreal. The Throne of God. As an angel, you know what this means." Lucifer answered back.
Abdiel grit his teeth, before several Angels, infuriated at Lucifer's claim, broke formation to face the fallen angel himself.
"Such uncouth behavior from my former brethren…" Lucifer declared, as his eyes glowed, before the angels were stopped, before they disintegrated from Lucifer's exertion of power, as the world shook once again. "Order itself has crumbled. Chaos shall envelop the world… and from that chaos, there will be a true rebirth, a wholly new future."
Lucifer then spread himself out, as he began to glow with a dark red glow, as his body began to disintegrate before the angels, and everyone else below.
"All that remains is for me to sow the seeds that shall sprout into this grand reality." Lucifer declared, as a rain of red particles began to traverse the entire realm, from Lucifer's body, as if the great Fallen was spreading fragments of his power across the land, as the world faded to white.
"Hey, do you think that we have enough for our dinner?"
"Of course we do, Gus. We have everything we need to make a good shabu shabu. In fact, I can't wait to see what original twist you'll put in the meal."
"Still, that's a lot we're buying… I'm glad that you're at least willing to carry it."
"Of course, I-"
"What are you looking over there for? There's only a black-haired girl over there."
"...Sorry, I never thought that I would have seen that person there."
"And who is she?"
"Why, she's the person that was on the bottom of my list of appearing right here in the Human Village, and she's more or less someone that I… Well, can you keep it a secret?"
"Go on."
"I… I have-"
When the light faded, Kaguya was back in the present, as Kaguya processed what she saw, before a faint smirk appeared on her face.
"So no more capital G here, huh… that makes things easier. Fuck that bastard over, that's what I'd say." Kaguya stated, before the smirk faded. "But still… to think Lucifer split himself apart… could it be that he is the representation of Life that he spread across the land in the various demons born here?"
Omoikane stared off into the distant sky, as Kaguya noticed something was wrong.
"Omoikane?" Kaguya asked to try and get a response, before Omoikane shook his head.
"My apologies, I was beset with something that I did not expect." Omoikane answered back. "It seems that I have picked up a memory that is not my own… yet so familiar."
"I see… Did you hear what I said about Lucifer?" Kaguya answered back, with some concern.
"I have, and I am not clear on that theory. Shortly after this encounter, my operations ceased." Omoikane answered back. "It was your presence that awakened me. And this has recovered some memory data that I have lost. I am an agent of Bethel, and I was sent here for an important mission. They have a base not far from here, at the Tokyo Diet building. There, the angels of Bethel work tirelessly to protect the people."
"For their own gain, of course…" Kaguya muttered under her breath, low enough for Omoikane not to pick it clearly.
"Either way, that will be our-" Omoikane stated, before something set him off. "...It seems that we have been detected. The demon of the tower is fast approaching. Ready yourself."
There was a massive sand-storm forming around the group, as Kaguya gestured for her group to be back to back, as they could hear the sound of slithering faintly through the howling winds. Kaguya slowly turned her head, before she could hear hissing behind her, as she reactively swung her naginata up, hitting something, as a loud roar was heard in response.
The sand-storm then dissipated, as Kaguya's target seemed to be a head among a set of nine, all of them clad with porcelain-like skin with intricate patterns on them, with purple long tongues flickering out of each mouth, and poison dripping from the fangs, all connected to a large snake-like body
"Well, looks like I was right on the money. We're fighting a Hydra." Kaguya remarked.
Formidable Target Detected
Hydra
Demon of the Tower
Kaguya immediately began to use one of the new abilities from absorbing a part of Omoikane's Essence, which caused a glow of green to appear over her eyes, which allowed her to see the weaknesses of her foe.
"So you breathe fire… and you're weak to ice. Heh, fitting." Kaguya remarked. "Azumi, charge up a Bufu and keep this beast back!"
"As you wish. Hrah!" Azumi remarked, before it then threw its webbed hands forward, as a ice crystal formed between his hands, as it struck the Hydra, causing it to flinch as a result from the hit.
Mermaid gazed at the Hydra, before she then closed her eyes, as the flaming skulls around her began to move around, before she then let out a wailing cry, as ice began to spring around her, before it caused several blasts of ice to rain down on the Hydra, causing it to be knocked back by the attack.
"Here's a present from me to you! Sukunda!" High Pixie remarked, before she then cast a spell, as it caused a dark green light to shine onto the Hydra, who became slower and more sluggish. "Have fun hitting us with that!"
"Rakunda!" Kaguya exclaimed, snapping her fingers, as the Hydra was struck with another weakening spell, this time the light being dark purple. "And here's some weakness to add to your weakness. I ain't going to be stopped by some glorified snake!"
"Mistress, take my aid. Rakukaja!" Mermaid remarked, as she immediately began to sing, as a blue light shone over Kaguya, as she felt herself become sturdier as a result.
"And in the meanwhile, I'll just gather my strength!" High Pixie remarked, while Azumi threw another Bufu spell right on the Hydra, as the fairy began to glow blue, with the magical energy stockpiling within herself.
However, their assault would not go uninterrupted for long, as the Hydra then snapped at the group, as it bit Azumi, causing the large fish to flinch as a result, with some purple blood leaking from the wound that the bite left, before the Hydra then roared, as red Magatsuhi particles began to gather around it.
"Warning, a high Magatsuhi concentration has been detected from the target Demon." Omoikane warned Kaguya. "I would advise guarding prematurely, for demons are capable too of using the Magatsuhi gathered to launch devastating attacks."
"Then we just need to prepare for it!" Kaguya remarked, before she then cast another Rakunda. "Hit him with all you got, then guard hard!"
The three demons with Kaguya immediately did so, as High Pixie launched a powerful lightning bolt right onto Hydra, which caused it to growl in pain, just as Azumi used another Bufu to make it flinch once again. Mermaid then used her same spell as before, as the icy spikes dealt more damage, with the Hydra's defenses weakened by Kaguya's repeated uses of Rakunda. Out of all of them, Azumi and High Pixie reacted in time to guard against the attack, leaving Mermaid and Kaguya open to the attack.
The Hydra then began to raise all of its head, before purple energy began to gather before it. It then fired as one, firing off beam of pure dark poison right into the group, as Mermaid managed to evade the attack, by using a liberal use of Bufu to create a ice barrier to redirect the flow of poison, while High Pixie managed to dash into the air before the poison could hit her.
Kaguya and Azumi were hit by the rushing tide of poison, as Azumi managed to weather the attack well, although the same couldn't be said for Kaguya, who was hit by the brunt of it, as it actually hurt her fairly bad, before she felt the poison affect her.
"Oh, you've got to be…" Kaguya wheezed, before she then collapsed on one knee from the pain.
"Kaguya!" High Pixie exclaimed, before she managed to avoid one of Hydra's bites.
"Dia!" Mermaid declared, before Kaguya was washed in green light, as it relieved her from most of the pain, excluding the poison itself, while Azumi kept Hydra busy with Bufu spells.
"Hang on, I'll fix that poison. Patra!" High Pixie declared, as a white light shone over Kaguya, as it removed the poison from her, bringing her back into the fight.
"Alright, I ain't letting that hit me again." Kaguya stated, before she then threw a Hama spell right onto Hydra, which hurt it considerably, due to Kaguya's power. "You got your one free hit on me, and now I'm going to make you pay for it tenfold!"
High Pixie then cast another Sukunda to weaken Hydra's speed, while Mermaid cast more ice spells to damage the Hydra, before it then roared, as all but one of its heads fell off, turning into red particles, leaving only glowing stumps on it.
"How do you like them apples!?" Kaguya taunted, before she cast another Rakukaja to weaken it further. "Now you won't be able to use that skill as hard as you did before!"
The Hydra then began to try and flatten the group with its swinging body, although the group were able to dodge the attacks, as Kaguya retaliated by using a powerful swing of her naginata that made the Hydra flinch, before she then activated her Magatsuhi reserve, as the group launched a massive assault, as ice rained down upon the Hydra from Mermaid and Azumi, which weakened it fairly much, and High Pixie then threw a powerful wind blade, having charged her magic for her crushing blow, with the wind blade managing to leave a glowing cut on the serpent's body.
Kaguya then leapt up into the air, before she then smashed down on the Hydra with a powerful swinging slash that pierced right through the cut, bisecting the Hydra, as it screeched in agony, before then fading away in red particles. After she confirmed that the demon was dead, she sighed in relief.
"That was a fight that I got cocky on…" Kaguya remarked, recalling how much damage she took from Hydra's attack. "If it wasn't for Mermaid… I could actually have taken a real beating. Thanks for the help, you really saved me there."
"You are welcome." Mermaid nodded back, before Amanozako flied up to the group, as she was impressed with what she had seen.
"Wooow! You're pretty strong, huh?" Amanozako remarked. "You totally are strong! I can't believe you actually beat the tower demon! Crazy!"
"Oh, believe me, this is just the first step." Kaguya stated. "Come on, let's get moving."
The group began to advance towards the next part of the ruined land, before Kaguya felt something behind them.
"And so the Hydra is slain! Fine work." A spirited male voice declared, before Kaguya turned around, and saw that the speaker was a red-skinned man, dressed in a long black hakama with symbols on it, a striped binding around his waist, with prayer bead circlets in one hand, a necklaces of wooden beads around his neck, black tattoos on his hand, a fabric headdress on his head, and gray eyes, with a miniature pagoda-shaped container on his back.
"Speak, who are you?" Kaguya demanded firmly.
"There is no need to be cautious, young lady. I am a humble monk of Jozoji Temple." The man introduced himself, cracking his neck side to side. "My name is Goko. I sensed a disturbance in Tokyo. My search brought me a long way… and now I roam these lands. The Buddha's guidance compelled me to save you, but I see that you never truly needed help."
"Well, gotta fight for your own out here." Kaguya remarked with a scoff.
"But surely you did not pass wholly unscathed, from your condition. Pardon my assumption, but let me give you this." Goko stated, before he slapped a glowing blue pillar into Kaguya's hand. "I will be wandering this place for a while yet. It seem that you already know where to go. So for now, I wish you well. May our paths under the Buddha's gaze cross again one day."
Goko then left the group, as mysteriously as he arrived, as Kaguya looked at the glowing pillar in her hand, trying to understand what it was.
"That is a Return Pillar. It has the power to allow you to return to the last leyline fount you have accessed." Omoikane stated. "It will be useful when you are in a dire state, and need to seek medical aid urgently."
"Huh, that'll be quite useful indeed…" Kaguya remarked, before she then pocketed it. "Alright, now that we have a way to get out of this place… for the time being, let's head off."
Kaguya's group then began to enter a whole region within the Netherworld, seeking the Tokyo Diet Building, where they would find some aid.